Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 17:8
And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
8. they saw no man, save Jesus only ] Christ, who came to fulfil the Law and the Prophets, is left alone. To His voice alone the Church will listen.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And when they had lift up their eyes,…. And “looked round about”, as Mark says, to see whether the same objects still continued, as Moses and Elias; and the bright cloud:
they saw no man; neither Moses nor Elias, who were both gone: signifying, that though the law and the prophets were till this time, they were now finished and completed, and the Mosaic economy was to be no more; as these men appeared no more after, nor will they till the second coming of Christ. And Mark has it, “they saw no man any more”; that is, these men any more, neither then, nor afterwards, “save Jesus only”. Mark adds, “with themselves”; in the same form as before his transfiguration. Christ is the only Mediator, Saviour, and Redeemer; the only Prophet, Priest, and King; and who only is to be, and can be beheld as such; and who does, and will abide with his people; and helps, comforts, and saves them, when none else can. Luke observes, that “when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone”; which was so ordered, that it might be a clear case, that this voice was only concerning Christ, and not either Moses or Elias.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Lifting up their eyes ( ). After the reassuring touch of Jesus and his words of cheer.
Jesus only ( ). Moses and Elijah were gone in the bright cloud.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
8. They saw no man but Jesus only. When it is said that in the end they saw Christ alone, this means that the Law and the Prophets had a temporary glory, that Christ alone might remain fully in view. If we would properly avail ourselves of the aid of Moses, we must not stop with him, but must endeavor to be conducted by his hand to Christ, of whom both he and all the rest are ministers. This passage may also be applied to condemn the superstitions of those who confound Christ not only with prophets and apostles, but with saints of the lowest rank, in such a manner as to make him nothing more than one of their number. But when the saints of God are eminent in graces, it is for a totally different purpose than that they should defraud Christ of a part of his honor, and appropriate it to themselves. In the disciples themselves we may see the origin of the mistake; for so long as they were terrified by the majesty of God, their minds wandered in search of men, but when Christ gently raised them up, they saw him alone If we are made to experience that consolation by which Christ relieves us of our fears, all those foolish affections, which distract us on every hand, will vanish away.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(8) They saw no man, save Jesus only.The words, following as they do upon the Be not afraid, imply a marked contrast to Peters rash utterance. It was not good for frail men such as they were to tarry long in the immediate glory of the Presence. It was a relief to see Jesus only with them, as they had been wont to see Him. So in our own lives, moments of spiritual ecstasy are few and far between, and it is good for us that it should be so, and that we should be left to carry the fragrance and power of their memory into the work of our common life, and the light of our common day.
It may not be amiss to say a few words as to the credibility of a narrative which is in itself so wonderful, and has been exposed so often to the attacks of a hostile criticism. And (1) it is obvious that what is commonly known as the rationalistic method of interpretation is altogether inapplicable here. The narrative of the Evangelists cannot by any artifice be reduced to a highly-coloured version of some natural phenomenon falling under known laws. If accepted at all, it must be accepted as belonging to the region of the super natural. (2) The so-called mythical theory, which sees in such narratives the purely legendary after-growth of the dreaming fancies of a later age, is of course possible here, as it is possible wherever the arbitrary criticism which postulates the incredibility of the supernatural chooses to apply it; but it may, at least, be urged against its application in this instance that there was nothing in the Jewish expectations of the Messiah likely to suggest such a legend, and that the circumstances connected with it are such (e.g., its association with our Lords sufferings, and the strange, abrupt utterance of Peter) as were hardly likely to suggest themselves either to the popular imagination or to that of an individual mind. (3) The position which it occupies both in our Lords ministry and the spiritual training of the disciples, while, on the one hand, it raises the Transfiguration above the region of a mere marvel, is, it may be urged again, such as was not likely to occur to a simple lover of the marvellous. (4) Lastly, the language of Joh. 1:14 and (though with less certainty, owing to the doubt which hangs over the genuineness of that Epistle) of 2Pe. 1:16, may surely be allowed some evidential weight, as being of the nature of allusive reference to a fact which the writers take for granted as generally known. Over and above St. Peters direct reference, we note the recurrence of the words decease, tabernacle, as suggested by it (2Pe. 1:13; 2Pe. 1:15).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Mat 17:8. And when they had lifted up their eyes, &c. This transfiguration of our Lord was intended for several important purposes. About six days before it happened, Jesus had predicted his own sufferings and death; at the same time, to prevent his disciples frombeing dejected by the melancholy prospect, as well as from falling into despair when the dismal scene should open, he told them, that though in appearance he was nothing but a man, and affliction was generally to be the lot of his disciples, he would come hereafter in great glory as universal Judge, and render unto every man according to his deeds, ch. Mat 16:27-28. And for proof of this he declared, that some of themselves should not taste of death till they saw him coming in his kingdom; saw a lively representation of the glory which he spake of, and were witnesses to the extent of his power as judge, on his enemies, the unbelieving Jews, who were to be punished by him with the most terrible destruction that ever befel any nation. The first article of his promise he fulfilled by the transfiguration, wherein he gives three of his Apostles both a visible representation, and also a clear proof of the glory in which he will come to judgment. That this was one principal end of the transfiguration, and of the voice from heaven which attended it, we learn from St. Peter, who urges both, to demonstrate the certainty of Christ’s coming: 2 Epist. Mat 1:16-18. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And this voice which came from heaven, we heard when we were with him in the holy mount.Nevertheless, other purposes might likewise have been served by the transfiguration: as, 1. The conference which our Lord had with Moses and Elias, concerning the sufferings that he was to meet with in Jerusalem, might animate him to encounter them with resolution, and make his disciples sensible how agreeable it was to the doctrine of Moses and the Prophets, that the Messiah should be evil-intreated and die, before he entered into glory.2. The appearing of these two great men, so long after they had gone into the invisible world, was a sensible proof and a clear example of the immortality of the soul, very necessary in those times, when the opinion of the Sadducees was so prevalent.3. To find Moses and Elias assisting Jesus in the new dispensation, must have given great satisfaction to the converted Jews, and particularly the Apostles, who thus could not doubt that the Gospel was the completion and perfection of the law. For had it not been so, Moses, the giver of the law, and Elias, who with a flaming zeal had maintained it in times of the greater corruption, would not have appeared on earth to encourage Jesus in his design of setting it aside.4. The threeApostles were allowed to be witnesses of their Master’s glory in the mountain, that they might not be offended by the depth of affliction into which they in particular were soon to see him plunged.5. The transfiguration demonstrated, that all the sufferings befalling Jesus, were on his part perfectly voluntary, it being as easy to deliver himself from dying, as to have adorned himself with celestial glory.6. The glory with which our Lord’s body was adorned in the transfiguration, exhibited a specimen of the beauty and perfection of the glorified bodies of the saints after their resurrection. This the Apostle intimates, Php 3:21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. It is also intimated by St. Luke: for although the glory of Moses and Elias at the transfiguration was vastly inferior to that of Jesus, he says expressly, that they appeared in glory; not because they appeared in heaven, but because they appeared in glorified bodies, like to those which the saints shall have in heaven. There can be no doubt of this, with respect to Elias, for his body was changed and fitted for immortality when he was translated; and as for Moses, though he had not his own body, he might have one formed for the occasion. See Macknight.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
Ver. 8. Save Jesus alone ] To teach them that Moses and Elias, the law and prophets, vail bonnet to Christ; that there is but one mediator, even the man Christ Jesus; that there is sufficient in him to satisfy the soul, to comfort the conscience.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mat 17:8 . nd so ends the vision. . ., etc., raising their eyes they see no one but Jesus. Moses and Elias gone, and Jesus in His familiar aspect; the dazzling brightness about face and garments vanished.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
no man = no one.
save = except, used for alla (= but). See note on “but”, Mat 20:23.
only = alone.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mat 17:8. , Jesus alone) Hence it is evident that He is the Son, who is to be heard, not Moses, nor Elias.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Chapter 44
Jesus Only
And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
(Mat 17:8)
Peter, James, and John were with the Lord Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. There they saw the Savior transfigured before them. We do not know what that vision was like. But we do know that it was a dazzling display of his divine glory and majesty (2Pe 1:16-18; Joh 1:14; 1Jn 1:2). Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared on the mountain with them and talked to Christ about the death he must accomplish at Jerusalem (Luk 9:32). Needless to say, Peter, James, and John were awestruck! I would be too. Wouldnt you? When Peter saw and heard Moses and Elijah, he blurted out, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elijah! The Lord Jesus said nothing. But while Peter was yet talking, A cloud overshadowed them. God simply snuffed out Moses and Elijah. He took them out of the picture. And behold a voice spoke out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Moses and Elijah were removed from the scene for a reason. The Old covenant was vanishing away. The dawn of a new day and a new covenant had come. When the Lord God said, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him, he was saying to Peter, James, and John, and to you and me, Moses and Elijah have been fulfilled. Moses and Elijah have nothing more to say or do. All that they said and all that they did was in preparation for and pointed to the coming of my beloved Son. Here he is. Hear ye him! Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophets have no other function.
At Sinai the people were forbidden to make any approach to the presence of God. They were not allowed to even touch the mountain. In the tabernacle and in the temple a thick, thick veil stood before the most holy place, constantly separating the people from God. The law did nothing to bring sinners into Gods presence. It never could (Rom 8:34; Heb 10:1-4). In fact, it did just the opposite. The law forbade men from even trying to approach the holy Lord God! No one could ever approach the God of heaven and earth until the law was fulfilled, its curse removed, and sin was put away by the satisfaction of Gods justice. The Lord Jesus, so to speak, came down the mountain to the people, tore down the veil, and by the blood of his cross opened to fallen men a way of access to the Lord God (Heb 10:19-23).
When the disciples saw Christ in his glory and heard God speak from heaven, they fell on their faces. They realized that they were in the awesome presence of the glory of God and were terrified by it. That is always what happens when a sinner realizes who he is before the holy Lord God (Job 40:3-5; Job 42:5-6; Isa 6:1-8; Dan 10:8).
Then, after they fell before him in utter terror, we read that Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid (Mat 17:7). God the Son, having assumed our nature for the express purpose of redeeming us and, thereby, showing us how greatly he loves us, here reveals that his whole heart towards his own is love, and bids his chosen never to be afraid.
And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only (Mat 17:8). When the law has been honored, fulfilled, and silenced and you look up to see the One by whose obedience it has been fully satisfied, you will see Jesus only. When you are made to understand that all the prophets have been fulfilled and you look up to see who fulfilled all those prophetic visions and promises given in the Old Testament, you will see no man, save Jesus only. The Lord Jesus Christ alone is our salvation, comfort, strength, and hope.
Our Savior
Jesus only is Our Savior (Mat 1:21; Act 4:12; 1Co 1:30-31). In the matter of salvation Christ stands entirely alone. We put no trust in the flesh, in ourselves, or in anything we do or experience. We trust Jesus only (Php 3:3; Rom 11:6; Gal 5:2; Gal 5:4). We trust Christ alone for righteousness (Rom 3:24-26; Rom 4:25 to Rom 5:1; Jer 23:6; Jer 33:16). Jesus only is that Holiness we must have, without which none can see God (Heb 12:14). We trust Jesus only for redemption (2Co 5:21; Gal 3:13; 1Pe 1:18-21; 1Pe 3:15). We trust Jesus only for sanctification (1Co 1:30; Heb 10:10-14). We trust Jesus only for preservation in grace (2Ti 1:12). We trust Jesus only for our resurrection and glorification (Psa 16:9-11).
Either Christ alone is my Savior, or I have no Savior! Either he completely saves, or he does not save at all. If so much as the will to be saved depends upon me, I cannot be saved (Joh 5:46). If, after having been saved for fifty years, I should be required to reach back and drag my foot across the threshold of heaven, I would sink at last into hell. Salvation is of the Lord! By the grace of God I am what I am!
Our Lord
Jesus only is our Lord and Master. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord (2Pe 1:2). I know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the sovereign Monarch of the universe and the Ruler of all men, the wicked as well as the righteous. But he is the Lord of his people willingly, by our voluntary consent (1Co 12:3). True faith voluntarily surrenders all things to the rule of Christ (Luk 14:24-33). True faith trusts Christs providential rule of all things, saying, Thy will be done. True faith is obedient to Christ the Lord.
The Church of God is a Kingdom under the rule of Christ by voluntary consent, willingly obedient to his Word, his ordinances, and his will. He is our Master, and we are happy and thankful that he is.
Our Rule
Jesus only is our rule of life. We are not slaves under the dominion of the law. We are children, walking in the path of our Elder Brother because we love him and seek the honor of his name (Joh 13:15). Our rule of life is not the ten commandments, but the whole revealed will of God given to us in Holy Scripture. It is summarized in two commandments, two motivating forces by which we are governed in all things: faith and love (1Jn 3:23).
Our Hope
Jesus only is our hope before God (Col 1:27; Lam 3:24-26).
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus name.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
Our only assurance and peace is Christ (Rom 5:1). All who know him gladly confess, I am a poor sinner and nothing at all; but Jesus Christ is my all in all! Christ alone is our plea before and advocate with the Father (1Jn 2:1-2). Christ alone is able to present us faultless before the presence of Gods glory. And he will do it (Eph 5:25-27;Jud 1:24-25).
Bold shall I stand in that great day,
For who aught to my charge shall lay,
While through Christs blood absolved I am
From sins tremendous guilt and blame?
Our Reward
Jesus only is our reward in heaven. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever (Psa 73:25-26). In heavens eternal glory we want nothing and hope for nothing but Jesus only. He is the Crown we seek and the beauty we desire (Isa 28:5). When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up (Psa 27:10). Soon we shall be with Christ (Joh 14:1-3). Soon we shall see his face (Rev 22:4). When we see him, we shall be like him (1Jn 3:2). We shall be fully satisfied with him (Rev 21:1-4). And the Son of God shall be fully satisfied with us! (Isa 53:11). Imagine that!
Our All
Jesus only is our all. As the Spirit of God states it in Col 3:11, Christ is all, and in all. To him every knee shall bow. Christ is all in all in creation, redemption, providence, grace, glory. He is all in all in his church and in the hearts of all his people. Christ is all in the Book of God, the sum and substance of the whole Bible. He is the living Word of whom the written Word speaks. The Lord Jesus Christ is not one of many revelations. He is the revelation of the invisible God. Christ is not one of many words. He is the Word of God (Joh 1:1-3; John 18). You and I cannot see God, know God, speak to God, be spoken to by God, or come to God except by Christ (Joh 14:6 : Mat 11:25-27). Christ is the Way. Without him, there is no going to God. Christ is the Truth. Without him, there is no knowing God. Christ is the Life. Without him, there is no living before God. There is no prophet like Christ our Prophet. He is unrivalled in his excellence as the Revelation of the invisible God.
When we read the promises of God, we understand that Christ is the first promise in the sacred Word, and the whole of every promise that follows. In him all the promises of God are yea and amen. When we read the law of God, we rejoice to know that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. When we read of the sacrifices, we rejoice to know that Christ has, by his one sacrifice fulfilled them all, for by that one sacrifice he has perfected forever them that are sanctified. When we read the prophets, our hearts leap with joy because to him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Fuente: Discovering Christ In Selected Books of the Bible
they saw: Mar 9:8, Luk 9:36, Act 12:10, Act 12:11
Reciprocal: Dan 8:17 – I was
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
THE CATHOLIC FAITH
Jesus only.
Mat 17:8
I. The message of the Church.In the midst of all our labour, in the midst of all our wonderful achievements, in the midst of all our fancy religions, in the midst of all our critical dissertations, in the midst of all our talking about religious things instead of being religious, in the midst of all our arguing and our restlessness, and our noise, the Church comes with her cry, with her warning, with her teaching, with her invitation, with her word, with her sacraments. And what is it? Jesus only. Listen to no one else but Him.
II. Our responsibility for belief.Our blessed Master reminded us of our great reponsibility for our belief. You live in an age when men are always trying to persuade you that it really hardly matters what you believe and what you do not. Do not believe them. Our blessed Lord has taught us the seriousness of belief.
III. Creed and life.If you have wakened up at all to see how practical to each of you in all the changes and chances of your mortal life is Jesus only, then remember that you have not only to hold your creed, but you have to live it. Our blessed Master has placed His cause in our hands. We may not be able to argue, we may not be able to write learned treatises, we may not be able to accommodate the faith to the last desire of the gallery, or the last wish of the man in the street, or the last convenience of the worldling, but we can live the lives of true Christians. Jesus only! He will stand by you, for He will bring to you a passion for goodness, a hunger and thirst after righteousness. He will give you joy in forgetting self and living for others. Jesus only! with all that He has said and done in His Church, is everything to you.
Canon W. J. Knox Little.
Illustration
When Bishop Beveridge was on his death-bed his memory so failed that he did not know even his nearest relative. His chaplain said, Do you know me? Who are you? was the answer. His own wife asked him, Do you know me? Who are you? was the only answer. On being told that it was his wife he said that he did not know her. Then one standing by said, Do you know Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ? he replied, reviving as if the name acted on him like a cordial; yes, I have known Him these forty years; He is my only hope.
(SECOND OUTLINE)
NONE BUT CHRIST
Jesus only will be unreservedly the heart-utterance of all in glory, as their unwavering, enraptured gaze for ever rests on Him.
I. For salvation.None but Jesus, as regards the foundation upon which we are resting for salvation, as regards a shelter from the wrath to come.
II. For refuge in trouble.None but Jesus, as regards a refuge in trouble.
III. For personal enjoyment.None but Jesus, as regards our springs of enjoyment. Very many go into the world for enjoyment, for pleasure, for recreation. What a tale this tells! It tells how little the attractiveness of Jesus is perceived by His people.
IV. A lifes aim.Let your lifes aim be His glory. Whatever you do, wherever you go, let your whole interest be centred in Him and in advancing His kingdom. Set your mind to live as a risen one, a blood-bought one. Let those around you see that yours are not cold principles, but that you, your tastes, your affections, and all things, are changed; that you can no longer enjoy anything that does not please Him.
The Rev. F. Whitfield.
(THIRD OUTLINE)
ALL OF THEE
Every one will at least in theory admit that if all we read and profess to believe of Jesus is true, He must be all or He is nothing.
I. In salvation.So long as you go on to combine anything with Jesus, in the way of your salvation, it may be Jesus, but it is a Jesus inoperative and unreal. So long as you allot a fraction of a fraction of the work to yourself, you will never have peace. It is all and only Jesus.
II. In sanctification.What is to make us holy enough to stand before Gods greatness? The righteousness of Christ accounted to us; laid on us, like a robe. All that is of us, as regards our title and meetness for glory, is as though it were not. It passes away like the beauties of Tabor. We find it not. No believer sees it. He saw it once, and it is gone. He does not see it. He needs merit. He looks out for merit: and, Lo! Jesus only. He perfects them that are sanctified. And, He is made of God unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
III. In the Church.Or, if you look at the rich and hallowed things, with which God has provided and decked and endowed His Church, can we keep those externals? Can we set up our tabernacles in them, and say, It is good to be here? Will they last? Is not there a time coming to each one of us, when, in sickness, and lying on a dying bed, we must be separated from all? What then? What in that hour if we cannot turnfeeble and dissatisfied, to feel and know and rest on Jesus only!
IV. In times of trial.Some are passing through trial. What shall they do? Tell it to Jesus, and they will prove the sufficiency of Jesus only.
V. An all-inclusive religion.Are we to trust in nothing, think of nothing, love nothing, enjoy nothing, but Christ? Is religion such an exclusive thing as that? It is because religion is all-inclusive that I say it. I say that there may be, there is, a Jesus in everything, and that the Jesus Who is in everything, is its power and its deep joy; and that in proportion as you find Him in life, life will be true, happy, and satisfying.
The Rev. James Vaughan.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
17:8
The purpose of the great scene was accomplished and Moses and Elias returned to their proper places. They saw no man. The last two words are from OUDEN which Strong defines, “Not even one, i. e., none, nobody, nothing.” This indefinite form of speech was appropriate in view of the unusual manner in which Moses and Elias had appeared, for they were evidently not just like other men except to such a degree that they could be recognized by the apostles.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 17:8. Save Jesus only. Without Moses and Elijah. The hour of glory was over, and the Lord now in His usual lowliness, resumed His intercourse with them, and returned to the labors of His ministry, which were awaiting Him at the foot of the mount. The sufficiency of His authority is implied, in view of the command of Mat 17:5.